Recently I was involved in and accident and my Prelude was sadly written off due to the amount of money needed for parts. I had the car for over a year and a half, close to two years.

I had been saving money just in case something like this would happen. I was initially saving for a car to get for my full license but I automatically leaned towards the Corolla Sportivo. I had driven an 03 and really liked how comfy they were, the engine and the way it used it's power and of course the way it felt on the road.

On the 19th of September, I purchased my 2005 Corolla Sportivo. Apart from tint, window visors and a stubby antenna, the car is pretty much standard, an excellent base for modifications :)

Recently I was able to get my hands on an OEM bonnet protector, split in two but it looks normal when on the car. I also got a second engine cover to be painted later on.

My plans at the moment are to get some much needed low, cold air intake (Injen preferably), exhaust sometime later, Exedy HD clutch and possibly a lightened flywheel (current clutch and flywheel are excellent and have no issues), possibly new wheels if I get sick of the stock ones and maybe some other handling mods.

Just to ask some questions, would anyone know the part number for the Injen CAI for an 05, part number for Exedy HD clutch, a good flywheel? Much appreciated!

I recently had a local smash repairer fix the damaged side skirts, rear bar, boot lid and driver side rear quarter due to the previous owner. I had also requested that only the main Toyota symbol be left and the other badges removed for a cleaner look.

I also finally got the chance to install the Injen intake a few weeks ago. Car is running excellently with no significant difference in fuel economy (when not lifting everywhere) and the sound, oh boy :D. Gotta love the sound of lift with an aftermarket intake.

Here are some shots from an industrial area that I was meant to have some nice DSLR pics but the camera sadly had issues so, my S5 was used.

I also decided to take my car to Sydney Dragway for some fun. I had one goal, to beat the 16.1 state in various car reviews. I am still on the stock clutch so I did take it easy through the gears. After a few hiccups, stuff ups and my guard liner coming out, I did it. This was also my first time running in the drags, what an experience :)

I plan on doing an oil change and re-installing the guard liner this weekend. I will also be cleaning the water marks that are not going away after washes. I have recently taken the visors off as the 3M tape was past its best.

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Alrighty, since the last update, my car has changed in appearance just a little.

Towards to end of 2015 and start of this year, I spoiled myself with finding a set of practically new BC BR Gold Coilovers, installed a new double din touch screen head unit with speakers all round (also used my amp and sub from my previous car).

Towards the start of this month I was lucky enough to find brand new Whiteline rear sway bar and strut brace going for a great price. That same week I was also lucky to find a great set of Advan RG2's in a ghost chrome, 16x7 running RE002's 205/45s.

Here's some of the latest photos.

Also got a dash mat for Christmas which was put in just before the sound system.

Old suspension

New coilovers

Coilovers in the front, stock in the rear. Massive difference in height

The new look :D

Current height...

Corolla Society meet and cruise.

Latest picture, as of yesterday before the rain rolled through.

I also have some other little parts just waiting to be installed. Have given the car an oil change today with no dramas. Next up on the list is definitely the clutch. Stay tuned for more!

Since then I haven't really done all too much. Still waiting to install the rear whiteline sway bar and few other little bits and pieces. Not long after my last update, I had purchased some Runx lights from a Sportivo owner in Melbourne. Had a mate make a custom harness for them to work on a 2005 model and all went well.

2005 stock vs Runx

Runx lights installed

After a wash

In recent weeks I have changed the center console light colour. Purchase some "light condoms" from eBay and changed them at home. Simple, easy and was done in about 30 minutes.

Everyone knows the standard green.

Can definitely say red is 100 times better!

Other then that, still have a lot of things I'd like to get done this year. Will be keeping this updated as more is done!

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So in the last few weeks, the Sportivo has had a fair bit of work completed. Due to having time off work, I thought it would be the best time to get a lot of the work done so I can enjoy it.

New items since my previous update include the install of new engine mounts, Exedy HD clutch with the OEM flywheel machined and a full exhaust system.

The exhaust system is made up starting with CES ported headers, 100 cell high flow cat, 2.5" piping, 2 resonators and a single tip varex muffler. It is also made with mild steel and has been completely painted with high temp black paint. It has a really nice tone and is loud in lift and moderately loud when not in lift. Bonus with the varex is that it basically sounds as quiet as stock when closed, so I won't be annoying any neighbours too soon.

As noted on here many times, I'd definitely recommend porting or CES ported headers to anyone. The gains are quite noticeable, not power wise (although there are proven gains all over the internet for power) but the low and mid range improvements are evident. Doesn't need to be revved out as much to get the car up to speed. I live in NSW (CES are based in QLD) and had the headers at my door a week after payment and have been satisfied with the work and service from CES. I highly recommend them!

Here some comparisons between stock and ported.

Beginning of the runners

Collector

I got the headers painted in high temp black as apposed to the coating, which did result in a cheaper price. I also went with the exchange and have since sent my headers to CES.

Runx lights at night

Interior lighting in the late afternoon and night

Here are the latest pictures of the Sportivo, not all too much has changed since the last update.

I'd say that the car is in the late stages of been completed. There's just a few things I'd like to do to finish it off. But who knows, there could be a few more things that come up that I'll want

I'll be keeping my thread updated.

Edited January 28 by Squalled

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Mirin hard, bit dissapointed that you don't have a mightycarmods sticker though ;)
If you want to hold up the bootcover on your shifter man, get a small zip tie and put it around the shifter. I did it the other week because having that gap between the knob and the boot cover is really annoying. Up to you though!

Whats the deal with the headers too, do we purchase the ones they have listed and then send in our stock ones?

Mirin hard, bit dissapointed that you don't have a mightycarmods sticker though ;)
If you want to hold up the bootcover on your shifter man, get a small zip tie and put it around the shifter. I did it the other week because having that gap between the knob and the boot cover is really annoying. Up to you though!

Whats the deal with the headers too, do we purchase the ones they have listed and then send in our stock ones?

Cheers for that mate! Never thought of that.

With the headers, I just emailed them about it stating I lived out of QLD and wanted to do the exchange. They got an invoice ready, I paid them and a week later the headers were at my door. Once you get your old ones out, send them back to them and they will also return the $200 holding fee in case you don't follow through with the trade.

CES are reasonable quality, but they are rather pricey for what you get.

I can agree with that Trent, although CES and/or porting headers is definitely a cheaper option then the PPE header.

A lot of Sydney Sportivo owners go for the Wildcat or Hurricane headers, which give it a nice rumble but I've heard that many stories of them cracking after a year or so, and they cost more then porting generally, well the Hurricanes do.

Hey bud, could you send me a link of those LED 'doms. Really keen on doing that mod to match the whole interior dash lighting. Also was this mod a pain in the *****, or was it fairly straight forward to do. I know when i upgrade to my 2din headunit it looked challenging.

Hey bud, could you send me a link of those LED 'doms. Really keen on doing that mod to match the whole interior dash lighting. Also was this mod a pain in the *****, or was it fairly straight forward to do. I know when i upgrade to my 2din headunit it looked challenging.

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Just a little update, finally getting around to doing the smaller projects.

Began preparing a second engine cover I bought last year for it's new look. This is the first time I'm prepping and painting something without any help so I'm not expecting anything over the top but I'll be happy that I gave it ago.

So 2 weeks ago I finished the engine cover. Nothing show car spec, I'll say it's fairly rough in a lot of spots, but definitely happy with the colour. I let it cure over the week and put on last weekend.

High temperature base coat.

Final layers of high temperature colour.

Finish product, the the letters and Toyota symbol were masked off to keep them silver.

Engine cover on

Finally got to wash the car after a few weeks of unpredictable NSW weather. I also found a brand new set of 4 genuine floor mats to replace the old worn ones.